On The Front Lines: Felix Ortiz

Decades of military service by his family members precipitated Assemblyman Félix Ortiz’s decision to join the Army in 1986. 

“I saw that as an inspiration to follow in their steps,” said Ortiz, a native of Puerto Rico. “In my case, I volunteered. In my brother’s case, he went to Vietnam. My uncle, he served in Korea. The other was in World War II. It had been a family tradition of serving in the military in order to give back to this country.” 

While he was still in Puerto Rico, Ortiz joined the ROTC. After moving to New York City in 1980, he attended Boricua College and eventually earned a master’s degree in public administration from New York University in 1986. He then joined the Army, where he served at Fort McPherson, a base in Georgia that was shuttered in 2011. 

After receiving an honorable discharge in 1988, Ortiz returned to New York and began a career in government. He worked first in the Department of Planning, and later in the Office of Management and Budget and the Bronx borough president’s office. In 1994 he ran successfully for the Assembly, where he’s been serving ever since. 

Like many of his colleagues in the Legislature who served in the armed forces, Ortiz said his time in the military shaped his perspective on public service. 

“[As] a public servant, I have a better understanding of how to help my brothers and sisters in the armed forces as a legislator,” he said. “Because whatever the issues are, I’m able to reach out to those who I know will be able to help and provide the services to them.” 

Ortiz has been among the Assembly’s foremost advocates for legislation that helps military members and their families. Two areas the assemblyman said he has focused on most recently are helping veterans find jobs that will fit their skills when they return home, and assisting families to ensure that their returning veteran family members receive the proper care they need. 

Ortiz’s focus goes beyond just these bills, however. For more than a decade he has been pushing various legislation aimed at aiding veterans, transferring his family tradition of service to the nation to his second career. 

“If they are there to serve us, it’s time for us to serve them,” Ortiz said. “We shouldn’t turn our back [on] our military personnel who are trying to keep democracy and freedom not just for our country but around the globe.” 

Military Branch: Army 

Rank Achieved: Captain